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Products > Plants - Browse By Region > Sophora microphylla
 
Sophora microphylla - Kowhai

Note: This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.  

 
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Tree
Family: Fabaceae = Pea Family
Origin: Pacific Islands
Flower Color: Yellow
Bloomtime: Winter/Spring
Height: 15-25 feet
Width: 10-15 feet
Exposure: Full Sun
Seaside: Yes
Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F
Sophora microphylla (Kowhai) - A large fast growing winter-deciduous small tree that can reach to 25' tall with long lasting and attractive bright yellow flowers held in short axillary racemes in late winter into spring. Plant in full coastal sun or light to full shade. Give regular to occasional irrigation. Hardy to at least 20 ° F. This southern hemisphere tree is listed as being native to both New Zealand and Chile but is mostly noted as a plant of New Zealand where it is often found in wet locations in open forests, forest margins and riverbanks. As with many New Zealand trees this plant has a juvenile and mature form with the divaricating juvenile form lasting up to 10 years while the plant does not flower followed by a more upright and open habit when in the flowering adult form. The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, other birds and insects and it is the national flower of New Zealand. 

The information about Sophora microphylla that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.

 
San Marcos Growers, established in 1979, will close at the end of 2025 so that the property can be developed for affordable housing.